EU leaders last night delivered their strongest backing yet for the United States military offensive against terrorism.

EU leaders last night delivered their strongest backing yet for the United States military offensive against terrorism.

A statement at the end of a Euro-summit in Ghent spoke of the "staunchest support" for the military measures and said the goal remained to eliminate the al-Qaeda terrorist network of Osama bin Laden who, it noted, had not been handed over by the Taliban.

An original planned declaration which spoke of the eradication of the Taliban regime as a legitimate objective was watered down. The EU lead-ers focused on the future, promising to work with the United Nations towards the creation of a "stable, legitimate and representative government for the whole of the Afghan people, one which respects human rights and develops good relations with all neighbouring countries".

After a day of tension over a decision by Britain, France and Germany to hold a mini-summit on their combined military tactics in support of the Americans, the strength of the state-ment came as a relief to Prime Minister Tony Blair. One official said, "We are very pleased with the outcome."

The fact that the wording on the Taliban was softened reflected diplomatic concern about the uncertain future for Afghanistan, one in which some dissident elements of the Taliban could figure. It also eased jitters of some EU countries happy to dis-play solid political support but wary of too much warmongering against the current regime.

The EU leaders gave a commitment to agree sweeping new European laws against terrorism at talks on December 6 and 7 in Brussels, when they intend to complete negotiations on an EU-wide arrest warrant. On the same date they will complete a deal on the freezing of assets of individuals and organisations believed to have supported the September 11 attacks. There will be swift action on three other fronts: improved cross-border police co-operation, the crackdown on terrorist funding and money-laundering, and tougher airline security measures.

Last night's declaration said that increasing current humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, standing at nearly &#xA3;200m so far from the 15 member states, was an absolute priority.

It promised a crackdown on the movement of nuclear, biological and chemical materials.

A call for calm was coupled with a vow to impose heavy penalties on those involved in hoaxes.